Bradley Cooper didn't expect conservative backlash for DNC appearance

Philly native says he was there to see Obama speak

It's nothing new for celebrities to face heat for espousing their political beliefs. But for Bradley Cooper, who simply appeared at the Democratic National Convention in his hometown of Philadelphia last month, the backlash was a surprise.

Cooper was spotted in the crowd along with his girlfriend, Russian model Irina Shayk, on the third night of the convention to see President Barack Obama speak.

Some conservatives on Twitter expressed outrage over his appearance, with a few suggesting that it didn't mesh with the fact that Cooper had portrayed Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in the 2014 film "American Sniper," a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2015.

In an appearance on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" Tuesday night, Cooper said he "was not expecting that." He said he took his mom to go see Obama speak (and also noted he still spends time living in Philly).

Todd Phillips, who directed Cooper in "The Hangover," said the anger was like the mob being mad at Robert DeNiro for appearing in "The Intern." You can watch the clip below:

The conversation then shifts to the Clintons. As Philly.com noted, Cooper has donated to Hillary Clinton's past Senate and presidential campaigns.

Cooper told Corden a quirky story about having dinner with Bill Clinton while filming "The Hangover Part II" in Bangkok — a story he's used on late-night television in the past: